Dura Done in Brantford

Dura Automotive Systems, Inc., today announced that it will close its Brantford, Ontario, manufacturing facility by June 2007. The 66,000- square-foot plant makes a variety of automotive column shift assemblies. The facility closing will impact approximately 120 jobs and the company will transfer Brantford production to other Dura facilities to improve overall capacity utilization. Facilities receiving the work will be announced at a later date.
“This was a difficult, but necessary, decision based on the competitive business environment in the automotive industry and we recognize the impact this will have on our employees and the community,” said Larry Denton, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dura Automotive. “We sincerely thank our Brantford employees for their service and dedication.
“As we move forward with our ’50-cubed’ initiatives, we will continue to drive our worldwide efficiency by optimizing Dura’s asset utilization rates and streamlining processes throughout the entire organization. We are committed to ensuring continued high performance in product quality and delivery for our customers as we transition toward an improved ‘best-in-cost’ position.”
On February 9, 2006, Dura announced an initiative named 50-cubed that established heightened performance goals in quality, worldwide efficiency and profitability. The initiative included a facility-restructuring plan projected to result in the closure of five to 10 manufacturing facilities worldwide by the end of 2007. The company currently has a presence in 14 countries and has 63 locations including its manufacturing facilities, technology and customer service centers and joint venture companies. The Brantford facility is the first facility closure announced as part of the 50-cubed initiative. The company will announce further closure locations as information is available.